Throughout the Old Testament of the Bible, God’s people had direct communication with Him through His ordained leaders. Two of the more well-known were Moses and Joshua. Moses led God’s people, the Hebrews, out of bondage in ancient Egypt. Joshua, on the other hand, led the Hebrew into the Promised Land across the Jordan River. Unfortunately, Joshua had to continually deal with the problems and difficulties caused by a rebellious group of unthankful people. Therefore, as a result of their apostasy toward God, they had to face the judgment of God. Apostasy is the renunciation of ones faith or rebellion against a truth contained within ones religious faith (En Wikipedia). Since the Hebrew was God’s chosen people, He promised them many blessings if they would keep His commandments. He also promised them many curses if they would not harken to His commandments. Unfortunately, the Hebrew was a stiffnecked people. They just could not follow the dictates of God, even though Joshua told them exactly what would happen to them if they turned away from the Lord God Jehovah. As stated in Joshua 23:6-16, God would keep His promises to His people. If they followed Him and kept His commandments, He would bless them and give them victories over their enemies. If they did not follow Him and keep His commandments, He would curse them and permit their enemies to defeat them. Of course, as seen in the Book of Judges, Chapters 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 13, the Hebrews rebelled against God seven times. Therefore, a just God would be obligated to punish the Hebrews for their apostasy toward Him. In fact, each time God placed the Hebrews under the control of other nations who did not believe in their God. However, when the Hebrews cried out to God for mercy, He would always send a God-appointed judge to deliver them from their bondage and servitude. Ultimately, this was the same reason that God sent Jesus to the earth on Christmas Day. It was to save mankind from the bondage and servitude of their sins.

But, are there any similarities that might exist between the ancient Hebrews and some postmodern Americans contained within the scriptures in Joshua 23: 6-16? In verse 6, Joshua explicitly tells the Hebrews to courageously follow the teachings of God as written in the Law of Moses or the Ten Commandments. They should not do anything that would cause disfavor with God. Of course, some postmodern Americans, just like the Hebrews, try desperately within themselves to follow the dictates of the Ten Commandments. But, unfortunately, too many Americans are guilty of disobeying the Ten Commandments and even removing them from the public sector of America’s society in order not to offend members of other non-Christian religions. Needless to say, God would totally disagree with America’s new political correctness policy. In fact, why should reading “Thou shalt not murder, Thou shalt steal, Thou shalt not commit adultery, and the remainders of the Ten Commandments in the lobby of a courthouse or in a public school classroom offend anyone? Needless the say, the only person that should be offended is the person who is violating one or all of the Ten Commandments.

In verse 7, Joshua explicitly tells the Hebrews that they should not associate or mingle with the members of heathen nations that still lived near them. He also clearly mandated that the Hebrews should not mention the name of the gods worshipped by the remnants of these defeated nations, they should not bow to them, they should not worship them, and they should not swear by the name of their gods. Of course, some postmodern Americans, just like the Hebrews, are guilty of constantly mentioning, bowing, and worshipping the false gods of America’s enemies. As a result, some Christians are being disillusioned and Christianity is being discredited in the very nation founded on Judeo-Christian principles.

In verse 8, Joshua explicitly tells the Hebrews that they should always cleave to the Lord God Jehovah and that they should never turn their backs to Him, just as they had done up to that point in time. Of course, some postmodern Americans, just like the Hebrew, had close relationships with God, that is, until the post-World War II era. After World War II, something happened in America that caused many Americans to turn their backs to God. Now, for seven decades, Americans have encountered and accepted different ideological and religious beliefs that are contrary to the teachings of the Holy Bible. Therefore, many Americans are not cleaving to God the Father as they were earlier in their lives. As a result, apostasy has become rampant throughout the nation.

In verses 9 and 10, Joshua explicitly tells the Hebrews that they should remember how their enemies were defeated. It was the mighty hand of the Lord that gave them victory after victory. In fact, it was impossible for their enemies to defeat the Hebrews up to that point. One Hebrew fighter could cause a thousand enemy soldiers to run because of the fear put in them by God. Of course, some postmodern Americans, just like the Hebrews, would admit that it was God who gave America the victory in World War II. But, sadly, America has not won a war outright since World War II. Therefore, could the reason for America’s lack of outright victories in all wars since World War II be blamed on the apostasy of Americans who once loved and worshipped Him with all of their hearts? Also, why don’t most of America’s enemies fear the United States as a military power any more? Could it be because God is angry at America’s sins as a nation and, as a result, His Almighty Hand is no longer fighting America’s battles? Could it be that God is upset at a Christian nation that has crumbled under the pressure of the homosexual agenda and that will soon accept gays and lesbians openly in the military and ultimately in the society at large?

In verses 11-16, Joshua explicitly tells the Hebrews that it would be to their advantage to love the Lord God Jehovah continually. But, if they failed to worship God and if they intermingled with the remnants of the godless nations that they once defeated, He would not defeat their enemies for them. Also, God would permit their enemies to become an everlasting thorn in their side and eventually He would remove all the goodness that He had given them. Of course, some postmodern Americans, just like the Hebrews, have given up on the Lord God Jehovah and, as a result, He has removed His blessings from their individual lives and America as a nation. Therefore, several questions should be considered. Could this be the reason the economy has been in such a mess lately? Could this be the reason 9 percent of Americans are unemployed? Could this be the reason America is on the verge of becoming a bankrupt nation? Could this be the reason America is fighting two wars overseas and fighting terrorism everywhere else? Could this be the reason that gasoline prices and food prices are skyrocketing? Could this be the reason that nature has attacked the United States viciously in the twenty-first century?

In summary, America is standing at a crossroads attempting to decide which way to go. At present, it appears that its political leaders and many of its citizens possibly will choose the way of secular humanism (worship of man’s abilities), just like the ancient Hebrews did many times. Of course, throughout the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, each time secular humanism was chosen over the commandments of the Lord God Jehovah a price had to be paid by the violators of God’s Holy Commandments. The price was usually servitude inside foreign nations or servitude within the borders of their own nation by foreign rulers. Today, America as a nation and individual American citizens are encountering servitude issues. For example, consumer debt is extremely burdensome. The current national debt is over 14 trillion dollars and rising. America’s trade deficit is destroying the economy and the job market. America owes billions of dollars that it borrowed from godless foreign nations. Social Security and Medicare are basically bankrupt as a result of the government dipping too many times into the coffers. The current healthcare law that was supposed to lower individual premiums has raised them drastically. Also, this same healthcare law will probably bankrupt the U. S. Treasury. Finally, new taxes in 2011 will take even a larger chunk of money out of the pockets of individual Americans. Therefore, America as a nation and many of its citizens are already living under servitude because they have turned their backs to a loving but jealous God. As it stands at present, America’s only hope of returning to its glory days is to once again bow their knees to God, ask forgiveness of national and individual sins, and give glory to the one who deserves all glory–the Lord God Jehovah and His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ. According to Philippians 2: 9-11,

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Of course, if America fails to return to God, if America fails to bow to Jesus Christ, and if America fails to confess that He is Lord, it can expect even more judgment from God in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.

P.S. I have completed my second book, which is in an eBook format. It is entitled A Brewing Pot of Christian Persecution: America’s Postmodern Anti-Christian Crusade. It was written to prove that Christian persecution does exist in America and that it will worsen unless Christians return to their first love, the Lord Jesus Christ. It can be purchased for $5.00 at http://ebooks.faithwriters.com/ebook-details.php?id=565 at the EBook Store. It is listed under the category of “End Times.” PayPal and Credit Cards are accepted. My articles may also be read at http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id=50188.

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